Warning: No Actual Research or Formal Study Went Into This Post!

I am going to district training today. This always gets me worked up. I feel as though public education, in general, is being slowly and methodically destroyed. We are currently working along the rim on one side of the Grand Canyon, when where I really want to be is cliff dwelling somewhere on the exact opposite side. I know, I know. Pretty soon, we'll all hop on our donkeys and start our migration to the other side, but it's still frustrating.

While showering, I came up with some ideas. I think they might help get our education system back on track, which is to say that it might help our children gain insight, knowledge, and the ability to be productive citizens.

1. Start spending the money wisely. This can be done in many ways.

* Balance the pay scales. I know that administration is important. Someone needs to be steering the boat. However, paying an expert to steer a boat with no propulsion system is just futile. The gap between administration and teacher pay is way too much.

* Quit paying publishers for their Get Smart Quick schemes. Our district changes curriculums like I change my socks. (Heh...once a year...hehe) Find a series that you like in each of the core areas and stick with it. We could have the best curriculum in the world, but if we haven't had a chance to get to know it, it's not going to make a difference. No teacher does his/her best the first time through.

* Be willing to pay your veteran teachers for their experience. As I said, no teacher can teach to the best of their ability the first time through. Despite all the college courses and student teaching in the world, the first few years in the classroom on your own are practice. First Years are cheaper, but they just plain can't do the job as well and they will after they have experience. You have to be willing to pay for that. It's worth it.

* Keep class sizes down. The benefits to the students' learning are so, SO worth it.

2. Start holding parents accountable in the same way you are holding teachers accountable.

* Participation in parent/teacher conferences should be mandatory. At least one time each year, parents should absolutely HAVE to take the time to discuss their child's progress and brainstorm with the teacher about how to best keep that progress happening. It can be in person, over the phone, via e-mail - but it has to cover the basics satisfactorily. The basics include academics, behavior, social/emotional development, and goals for the future. Parents should be able to get time from work to attend these meetings, and there should be some kind of reward for doing it - a tax break or something. I'm still working on that part.

* Parents should receive a "report card" each year. This would hold them accountable for the things that only they can provide to their children. This report card would be included in their child's cummulative file. Things to include on this report card:
~ Y or N Parent has adaquately monitored and cared for the health of the student.
~ Y or N Parent provides adequate nutrition for the student on a daily basis.
~ Y or N Parent has participated in the education process both at school and at home.
~ Y or N Parent has a system of consequences (pos. and neg.) in place.
~ Y or N If no is marked for any of the above statements, Parent has made adaquate attempts to find assistance, including but not limited to, parenting classes, county/state/federal assistance programs, counseling/therapy.

(I know that this would be way too subjective (much like the monitoring of teachers) to actually work, but it's nice in theory. Schools would, of course, be required to give free classes and seminars for parents to help with these issues.)

These are just my own random thoughts. Your questions, comments, snide remarks? I know there are problems with them. It's just nice to dream about an improved work place and a situation where I can actually help the kids who are put in my charge. More than I do now, I mean.